National Park & Preserve · AK
Katmai National Park & Preserve
Katmai is quietest in January and February and busiest in July.
A landscape is alive underneath our feet, filled with creatures that remind us what it is to be wild. Katmai was established in 1918 to protect the volcanically devastated region surrounding Novarupta and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Today, Katmai National Park and Preserve also protects 9,000 years of human history and important habitat for salmon and thousands of brown bears.
35K recreation visits a year on average (2023–2025)
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Pick a month to visit Katmai
This week
7-day forecast
| Day | Conditions | High | Low | Precip chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 18 | Snow showers | 39°F | 22°F | 97% |
| Mon 19 | Drizzle | 39°F | 35°F | 92% |
| Tue 20 | Snow | 35°F | 28°F | 98% |
| Wed 21 | Light snow | 29°F | 28°F | 80% |
| Thu 22 | Overcast | 29°F | 21°F | 3% |
| Fri 23 | Light drizzle | 37°F | 21°F | 63% |
| Sat 24 | Drizzle | 41°F | 37°F | 71% |
Forecast data by Open-Meteo
Source: Open-Meteo
Weather
Monthly climate normals
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F | 10°F | 1.8" |
| February | 31°F | 13°F | 2.1" |
| March | 32°F | 14°F | 1.0" |
| April | 43°F | 26°F | 1.4" |
| May | 52°F | 33°F | 1.5" |
| June | 59°F | 40°F | 2.5" |
| July | 62°F | 46°F | 3.7" |
| August | 61°F | 45°F | 4.4" |
| September | 54°F | 39°F | 5.1" |
| October | 43°F | 28°F | 2.9" |
| November | 33°F | 17°F | 3.6" |
| December | 27°F | 12°F | 2.1" |
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, KING SALMON 42 SE, AK US
Know before you go
Fees & hours
- Entrance fee
- Free — Free entrance
- Hours
- Katmai is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
No current alerts or closures reported for this park.
Source: NPS Data API
FAQ
Katmai questions
When is the best time to visit Katmai?
Katmai is least crowded in January, February, and March. July is the busiest month, so visiting outside it means thinner crowds and easier parking.
How much does it cost to visit Katmai?
Entry to Katmai is free.
When is Katmai busiest?
Katmai is busiest in July, when crowds rate 10/10 (peak). Expect full parking lots and longer waits; arrive early or choose a quieter month.
How crowded is Katmai during holidays and fee-free days?
Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July) and official NPS fee-free days typically bring peak crowd conditions to Katmai. Arrive before 8 AM or after 3 PM to secure parking and avoid peak trail congestion.